Doofing mechanism for spinning-machines.



M. KERWIN.

DOFFING MECHANISM FOR SPINNING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. \1. 19m.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

( 21 u ue utoz 1 (for mu;

Ni. KERWIN.

DOFFING MECHANISM FOR SPINNING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-11" 1917.

1,24%,94? Patented 0m. 16, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

atto'wau M. KERWIN.

DOFFING MECHANISM.FOR SPINNING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. II, I9I7.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PIN-Mums M. KEHWIN.

DOFFING MECHANISM FOR SPINNING MACHINES APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1917. 152N234? B Patent-ed 00. 16, 1917.

. I 4 SHEETSSHEET A MICHAEL KERWIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 HIMSELF, AND ONE-HALF 'I'O FRANK BALDWIN, OF BRISTOL, PENNSYLVANIA.

DOFFING MECHANISM FOR SPINNING-MACHINES.

Application filed January 11, 1917.

scription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

,-The general object of my invention is to provide improved means for replacing filled bobbinsby empty bobbins in spinning and twisting machines More specifically-the object of my inventionis to provide simple and efl'ective means,

"lair I ,2 bobbins may be'easily.and expeditiously y automatic in character, by which replaced by empty bobbins at both sides of a cap spinning machine of a type well known and in common use,- Another specific object of myinvention is to provide improved l doffing mechanism,ythe' character of which will, permit its "ready-j application to existing spinning machines heretofore constructed as well as its incorporation in new machines.

i The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part. of this specification; for a better understanding of the inventionhowever and the advantages possessed by it, as well as specific objects obtained with t,

reference should be had to the accompany- "ing drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of myinvention.

Of the drawm'gs't Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away, and. removed, of a portion of a cap spinning machine to which my invention has been applied.

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional elevation taken similarly to Fig. -1',-i11nstrating'a detail of construction.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. '1 with some parts not essential to an understanding of the present invention omitted;

Fig. 2 is a partial end elevation illustrating a modification.

Specification of Letterslatent.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are partial sections taken similarly to Fig. 3, but showing parts in different relative positions.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of one of the cap holders and attached bobbin holding device.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is aview taken at right angles to Figs. 4 and 5 on a slightly larger scale, show in a portion of the apparatus shown by said figures, and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a bobbin supporting element.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the application of my invention to a cap spinning machine of a well known rolls B, at each side of the machine, through the pot eyes A in the hinged top boards A, to the bobbins H. Each of the latter is rotated by a corresponding whirl D journaled on a dead spindle F. The whirls D are raised and lowered to carry the bobbins, which they support, into and out of the caps G by the usual lifter or builder rails -D'- and the mechanism for raising and lowering them. The caps G are normally sup ported on the spindles F.

The mechanism for raising and lowering each lifter rail D" comprises vertical rods or bars E secured at their upper ends to the lifter rail and passing through and in guided relation with the corresponding spindle rail F to which the lower ends of the spindles F are secured. At its lower end each rod E has secured to it acorrespond.

ing chain or flexible element E which runs over a pulley journaled on the framework and has a horizontal portion connected to'a corresponding stud or hook E carried by the horizontal bar or chain rod E which extends. longitudinally of the machine. In the form shown in the drawings, each of the 7 elements E, with the exception of that for bar E the right hand rod E, as seen in Fig. 1,

runs over a corresponding pulley A which also forms a roller support for the longitudinally movable rod E The element E for the right hand rod E, as seen'in Fig. 1, runs over two pulleys A and A and is connected to a stud or projection E Each of the two bars E is given longitudinal reciprocatory motions in normal operation by means of a corresponding rotating cam E As shown the thrust of each cam E is imparted to the corresponding bar E by means comprising a lever E hinge connected at E to the frameworkof the machine an L interposed between the cam and a lever E which is pivotally connected at A to the framework of the machine and has pivotally connected to its upper end a nut E through which works an adjusting screw E. The inner end of the latter bears against the end of a plunger E working in the framework guides A and provided with trunnion like studs E forming a pivotal connection between the plunger and a strut member E which in the normal operation of the machine has its free end resting in a I recess or notch formed in the lug E secured to the adjacent end of the corresponding The lifter rails D and mechanism supported thereby may advantageously be counterbalanced in part, but should be sulficiently unbalanced so that the weight of the parts holds each bracket E against the end of the corresponding strut E and holds each plunger E against the corresponding adjusting screw E. The latter is provided at the front end of the machine with a hand wheel, and forms a means by which the limits of the normal upand down movement imparted to the lifter rail and whirls may be varied as conditionsmake desirable.

The'above described mechanism for raising and lowering the lifter rails in normal operation is of a knowntypewith the exception of the means provided for disconnecting the lifter rails from the cams E. To facilitate the disconnection of the lifter rails from the cams E I have provided means which, in the form illustrated, comprises a rock shaft E extending transversely to the length of the machine and journaled in the framework of the latter. The rock shaft E is provided with two arms E one beneath each pivot strut member E and is provided with a third arm E".

To the lower end of the arm E is connected a rod or pull transmitting element E which is shown as terminating in the front of the machine in a handle or knob and as being provided adjacent the handle or pull with a collar E The framework of the machine (see Fig. 1 is notched at A to receive the element E and when the collar E bears against the outer edges of this notch the meant? arms E engage the strut members E and hold them in the elevated dotted line position of Fig. 1 in which they no longer operatively connect the bars E and the plungers E.

I have also provided means for moving the bars E away from the plungers E to facilitate shifting the members E to the inoperative dotted line position shown in Fig.1, and to effect the desired vertical ad-v justments of the lifter rails E in dofiing. These means, as shown, comprise a transverse rock shaft E which is journaled in the framework of the machine. The rock shaft E has arms E at opposite sides of the machine. The upper end of each arm E bears against the corresponding bar E". As shown, the engagement with each bar E is through a roll journaled in a bearing block E secured to the end of the bar. The rock shaft E also has an arm E which is connected by a chain or other flexible element E running over a pulley E to a treadle E located at the front of the machine and journaled in the bracket A The spindle rails F, one at each side of the machine and each supporting a corresponding row of dead spindles F are made vertically movable. For this purpose each spindle rail F is mounted on bracket arms F which are carried by a series of vertical guide rods or bars F arranged at intervals along the length of the machine. vAs shown, each guide bar F works through upper and lower pairs of guide rolls A Each guide 100 bar F is formed with a set of rack teeth on its inner side which mesh with a correspondihg spur gear F The spur gears F at each side of the machine are mounted on a common shaft F extended longitudinally 105 of the machine, and the two shafts F are connected by bevel gears to a transverse shaft F at the front end of the machine. The shaft F is connected by bevel gears to an inclined operating shaft F The upper 110 end of the shaft F has secured to it a handwheel F A locking lever H'mounted on the handwheel F and adapted to move 'a locking pawl H into and out of holes provided for the purpose in a stationary dial i A secured to the framework of the machine forms a means for securing the spindle rails in different definite vertical adjustments for purposes hereinafter explained.

The caps G supported on the upper ends of the spindle F are each provided with an external circumferential rib .G which, as shown, is located somewhat less than half the length of the cap from the upper end of the latter. Each cap holder J is in the form of a bifurcated element provided with a segmental recess J in the upper side of the bifurcation to receive the rib G of the corresponding cap when the parts are in the dofling condition, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5.

' chine.

I. will be observed, see Fig. 7, that the outer cylindrical wall of each recess J embraces somewhat more than 180 degrees ofthe cap arms J for the various cap holders'J are,

secured by set screws J to non-rotatable shafts J. wheels J which run on horizontal tracks A forming a part of the framework of the machine. Guard rails A prevent the wheels A from lifting off the track rails A The shafts J are rigidly connected by arms J to the outer ends of rack bars J which are held in mesh with spur gears J by guide rolls A journaled in the framework of the machine. The spur gears J are secured on a shaft J which extends longitudinally'of the machine and is provided at the front end of the machine with a hand wheel J. The latter carries a locking lever H by means of which the handwheel J may be secured in different adjustments with respect to a stationary dial A. The rack bars J for advancing and retracting the cap holders at one side of the machine lie underneath the spur gears J with which they are in mesh. while the other rack bars J engage the upper sides of the spur gears J In consequence of this arrangement the rotation of the shaft Jf in one direction moves the cap holders outward at each side of the machine and a rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction retracts' the cap holders at each side of the machine.

Each cap holder J in the construction illustrated is provided with a device J by which a bobbin may be releasably secured inva cap G supported by the cap holder. As shown, this latching device is pivotally connected at J to a bracket J shown as adjustably connected to the corresponding cap holder. Each latching device J comprises a depending portion and an offset horizontal portion at the free end of which is a latching detent J proper, and a depending portion J having its lower end oppositely beveled for engagement with cam devices hereinafter referred to by which the device J is adjusted into and out of the bobbin holding position. A frictional holding device J is provided for holding each latching device in each of the two positions into which it may be adjusted. H

A vertically movable bobbin or dotting rail K is provided at each side of the ma- As shown, each rail K has depending guide bars K working in brackets A The shafts J are mounted onsecured tothe framework of the machine and the bracketslhave bearings for a longitudin'alishaft K The latter carries spur gears K. which are in mesh with rack teeth provided onthe innersideof the corresponding guide bars K As shown each shaft K is connected atth e front of the machine h with a transverse shaft K by bevel gearing.

The shaft K is also connected by bevel gears to a vertical operating shaft K which carries at its upper end a hand wheel K Mounted on the hand wheel'K. is a locking lever H by means-ofwhich the hand wheel K may be 'securdjhdiflbient.definite adjustments with'respectto the stationary dial A", and the dofiing irails K thus heldat different predetermined levels.

Secured to each doflingrail :K'is a set i of empty bobbin supporting pegs K there being one of these pegs for, and in the same plane transverse to the plane of the machine with each spindle F at the same side of the machine. J ournaled on the lower portion of each peg K is a skew bevel gear L which carries at its upper side an arm L at the.

outer end of which is supported a corresponding filled bobbin supporting peg L By rotating the gear L the filled bobbin supporting peg L is caused to travel in a circle about the corresponding empty bobbin peg KH Each gear L also carries cams L and L for operating the corresponding bobbin holding latch J as hereinafter explained. Collars K surrounding the pegs K hold the empty bobbins mounted thereon at a higher level than that of the filled bobbins mounted on the pegs L The gears L mounted on eachrail K are in mesh with gears L carried by a longitudinally extending shaft journaled on the rail. At the front end of the machine the two shafts L are connected by bevel gears toa transverse shaft L and the latter is-connected by bevel gears with a handwheel L". which is journaled in a bracket carried by a member K which rigidly connects the front ends of the two dofling rails K. Means including a dial K carried by the frame member K and a locking member H' carried by the hand wheel L are provided for locking the various gears L in different predetermined an ular positions.

it one stage of the dofling operation it is necessary or desirable to deflect the strands of yarn as hereinafter explained. This is accomplished in the particular form of mechanism disclosed by means of a yarn de fleeting bar M mounted one on each bobbin rail K. Each yarn deflector M in the construction illustrated is carried by arms M which are hinged to the dofiing rail K by means of a hinge shaft M carried by brackets M secured to the dotting rail. Handles M connected to each of the shafts M at the front end of the machine form a means for ator hooks up the collar E of the pull ele-,

' manually adjusting the thread bars M back Each arm M is connected by a pin and slot.

connection M. to a lever M journaled .in a bracket M carried by the dofling rail connecting member K. 'The lever M has a projection M working in a cam Way"M provided in the stationary framework of the machine. Each camw'ay M is so shaped that when the doffing rails K are raised as shown in Fig. 4 each thread bar is moved outward into the positionshown in Fig. 4., while, when the rails K are lowered to the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 5 each thread bar M is automatically returned tothe position shown in Fig. 5.

The operation of the spinning mechanism proper is interrupted for the dofiing operation. In performing the latter the operator first depresses the treadle E to move the lifter rails E to their uppermost positions. While the treadle E is depressed the operment E at the outer side of the notch AW, and thus secures the strut members E in the inoperative dotted line positions of Fig.

1, and moves the cap holders J outward to bring the-centers of the segmental recesses J thereof in alinement with the corresponding caps G. The operator then releases treadle E and manipulates the hand wheel F 8 to lower the spindle rails F; as the spindle rails are thus lowered the caps move down" with their supporting spindles Funtil the ribs G of the caps G seat inv the recesses J of the holders J after which further downward movement of the 'capsis prevented. Since the ribs G' are then encircled for more than 180 by the peri he'ral walls of the corresponding recesses any accidental lateral displacement of a cap with respect to its holder is effectually prevented. The downward movement of the spindles is continued however until the lat ter are well below the lower ends of the caps and of the bobbin retaining devices- J which in this stage of the operation are in position to engage the lower ends of the filled bobbins and hold them in the caps G into which they have all been properly entered by the depression of the treadle E just described. The lifter rails E and whirls D move down with the spindle rails F. After the spindle rails and whirls are well below the caps G and the bobbins held therein, the cap holders J are given a further out- -ward movement to bring the axes of the various filled bobbins into alinement with the corresponding pegs L which should then be at, or should be brought to the inner sides-of the corresponding pegs K as shown in Fig. 4. V

The rails K are next raised to move the pegs L into the filled bobbins. As the peg rails K are thus raised the cams L L engage the inner bevel edges of the bobbin retaining devices J and move the detents J of the latter out of engagement with the bobbins so that the latter may drop down into engagement with the stops L surrounding the lower portions of the pegs L The doffing rails K are next lowered to clear the caps and cap holders. Following this the yarn bars M, which should be in the outer posi 'tion as shown in Fig. 4 whenever therails K are elevated, are moved to their inner posltions as shown in Fig. 5, after which the shafts L are rotated to revolve each peg L and the filled bobbin carried thereby about tween each filled bobbin and the corresponding draft rolls B a few times about the empty bobbin around which the filled bobbin is revolved. The yarn thus wound on each empty bobbin is drawn off the corresponding full bobbin. The purpose of the thread bar M as is apparent from Fig. 5-, is to so guide or deflect the yarn portion running between each filled bobbin and the corresponding draft rollers B as to insure the Winding of the yarn on the empty bobbin when the full bobbin is revolved about it. After theyarn has been wound a suflicient number of times about the empty bobbins to properly secure the yarn to the latter the thread bars are moved into their inoperative position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5

and the strands of yarns running between the various filled and empty bobbins are then broken. The yarn strands may be broken either manually or by instrumentalities not shown. The cap holders J arethen given a further outward movement to bring the caps G into axial alinement with the empty bobbins mounted on the pegs K after which the bobbin rails K are again raised to move the empty bobbins up into the caps G. As the empty bobbins are thus raised into place the cams L engage the outer edges of the bevel portions J of-the latching devices J see Fig. 5, and thus move the latching detents J beneath the lower ends of the empty bobbins so that the latter are retained in the caps when the bobbin rails K are lowered which is the next step in the operation. Following'this the cap holders J are retracted to bring the caps G into axial alinement with the spindles F. The latter arenext raised into the normal operating position thus carrying the ribs G maps of the capsG out of the recesses J of the cap holders. The cap holders are next retracted to their normal inoperative position after which the treadle E is momentarily depressed to permit the rengagement of the pivoted strut members E with the lugs E of the chain rods E The lowering of the bars E is brought about of course by unhooking the 'pull element E This putsthe apparatus back into condition to resume the normal spinning operation.

With my improved dofiing mechanism no great skill on the part of the operator is required for the rapid completion of the after madeto be limited to the particular form of apparatus herein disclosed more than is made necessary by the terms of the claims and the prior state of the art.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by. Let ters Patent is,

1. Ina spinning machine, the combination with a lifter rail, a longitudinally reciprocating chain rod, flexible connections between said rod and lifter rail, and an actuating cam, of a force transmitting connection between said cam and rod including provisions for rendering said connection inoperative and means for reciprocating said chain bar when said connection is in its in operative position.

2. In a spinningmachine, the combination with a lifter rail, a longitudinally reciprocating chain rod, flexible connections between said rod and lifter rai1,and an actuating cam, of a force transmitting connection between said cam and rod including a displaceable element movable into and out of its operative position and means for reciprocating said chain bar when said element is in its inoperative position.

3. In a spinning machine, the combination with a lifter rail, a'longitudinally reciprocating chain rod, flexible connections between said rod and lifter rail, and a r0 tatin cam, of a force transmitting connection etween said cam and rod including a hinged element adapted to be swung into and out of its operative position and means for reciprocating said chain bar when said element is in its inoperative position.

4:. In a cap spinning machine the combination with caps provided each with an external circumferential rib of cap holders, each bifurcated and adapted to straddle the portion of a cap beneath its external rib and formed in its upper face with a recess adapted to receive the rib of a cap straddled by said holder on an upward movement of. the latter relative to the'cap and shaped to encircle said rib for more than a half circle and thereby prevent lateral displacement relative to the holderof a cap having its rib received in said recess.

5. In a cap spinning machine the combination with caps provided each with an external circumferential rib of cap holders, each formed with a recess at its upper side adapted to snugly receive said rib and with a vertical passage communicating with said recess and adapted to receive the portion of the cap immediately beneath said rib and formed with a lateral opening into said passage and recess of a width less than the diameter of said rib and greater than the diameter of the portion of said cap immediately beneath said rib whereby a cap having its rib received in said recess is held against lateral displacement with respect to the cap holder.

6. In a spinning machine the combination with a vertically adjustable dotting rail at each side of the machine of adjustable bobbin supports mounted on said rails and a common means for simultaneously adjusting said supports relative to said rails.

. 7. In a spinning machine, the combination with a vertically adjustable dofiing rail at each side of the machine, adjustable bobbin supports mounted on said rails, a mechanical connection between said rails at one end of the machine and a common means mounted on said connection for adjusting said supports relative to said rails.

8. In a spinning machine, the combination with a vertical adjustable support at each side of the machine, of adjustable doffing devices mounted on said supports and a common means for simultaneously adjusting the devices on the two supports relative to the latter.v

9. In ,a spinning machine, the combination with a vertical adjustable dofling rail at .each side of the machine, a set of full bobbin holders and a set of empty bobbin holders mounted on each rail and a common means for relatively adjusting the full and empty bobbin holders on the two rails.

' 10. In a cap spinning machine the combi nation of vertically movable spindles, caps normally supported thereby,. horizontally movable cap holders, a vertically movable dofling rail, a set of empty bobbin supports and a set of full bobbin supports mounted on said rail, the bobbin supports of one set bein each revoluble about a corresponding bobbin support of the other set.

11. In a spinning machine, dotting meanscomprising in combination a set of bobbin supports, and a set of bobbin support carriers, each revoluble about a corresponding one of said supports and each carrying a bobbin support laterally displaced from the support about which it rotates.

12. In a spinning machine, dofling means comprising in combination a set of empty bobbin supports each of which is rotatable about a corresponding empty bobbin support and is located at a lower level than the latter.

13. In a spinning machine, dotfing means comprising in combination, a set of empty bobbin holders, a set of full bobbin holders, means forrotating each holder of one set about a corresponding holder of the other set and yarn deflecting means for causing the yarn running from full bobbins mounted on said full bobbin holders to be wound upon bobbins held by the empty bobbin holders when the bobbins of the one set are revolved about the bobbins of the other set.

14. In a cap spinning machine, the combination with spindles and caps of dotting mechanism comprising cap holders movable relative to one anotherboth longitudinally of and transversely to said spindles, devices for retaining bobbins in said caps when held by said cap holders, a bobbin rail relative toythe cap holders, and means mounted on said bobbin rail for actuating said devices.

'15. In a cap spinning machine. the combinatioiiwitli spindles and caps of dotting mechanism comprising cap holders movable relative to one another both longitudinally of and transversely to said spindles. devices for retaining bobbins in said caps when held by said cap holders, a bobbin rail movable relative to said cap holders, a set of full bobbin holders and a set of empty bobbin holders mounted on said rail and means mounted on said bobbin rail for actuating said devices in one direction when one set of holders is brought into registry with the cap holders and for operating said devices in a different way when the other set of bobbin holders are brought into registry with the cap holders.

16. In a cap spinning machine. the combination with spindles and caps of dotting mechanism comprising cap holders movable relative to one another both longitudinally of and transversely to said spindles. devices for retaining bobbins in said caps when held by said cap holders. a bobbin rail, a set of full bobbin pegs and a set of empty bobbin j'pegs mounted thereon. a set of cams mounted the one set of bobbins mounted on said rail and associated with said empty bobbin pegs for shifting said devices in the other direction.

17. A dofling mechanism for cap spinning machines, comprising in combination a set of cap holders,.a set of devices for releasably holding bobbins in caps held by said cap holders, a bobbin rail movable relative to the cap holders, a set of bobbin holders mounted on said rail, a set of revoluble bobbin holder carriers -m-ounted on said rail, a set of bobbin holders mounted on said carriers and each carried by the rotation of said carrier about a bobbin holder of the first mentioned set, a set of cams mounted on said carriers for actuating said devices in one way, and a second set of cams supported by said rail for actuating said devices in the opposite Way.

18. In a spinning machine, the combination with a dotting rail of a set of bobbin holders carried thereby, a sec-0nd set of bobbin supports mounted on said rail and revoluble each about a corresponding support of the first mentioned set of supports and yarn guiding means operative when filled bobbins are mounted on one set of holders and empty bobbins are mounted on the other set to engage the yarn running away from each filled bobbin and cause it to be wound about an empty bobbin When are revolved about the other.

19. In a spinning machine, the combination with the vertically movable spindles and caps normally supported thereby, of transversely movable cap holders, retaining 'devices for holding bobbins in said caps whensupported by said cap holders, a doff i'ng rail movable into one position relative to the caps to receive filled bobbins therefrom and to another position relative to the cap holders to insert empty bobbins in the caps supported by the latter and means carried by said dofling rail for adjusting said retaining devices ,to release the, filled bobbins when the parts are in said one position and to engage the empty bobbins when inserted in the cap holders.

20.111 combination with a double cap spinning machine of devices comprising a set of cap holders. a vertically adjustable spindle rail and a vertically adjustable dofiing rail with relatively adjustable filled and empty bobbin peg supports at each side of the machine. and mechanism for adjusting each of said devices at. one side of the machine and simultaneously adjusting the similar device, or devices, at the opposite side of the machlne.

MICHAEL KERWIN. 

